Allotment in Poland (działka)

Hi I'm interested in allotments
In Poland How are allotments obtained? Are they privately owned or state run? Are they passed down through the family? How important are they now? Did they start during the Communist era? How big are they? What do you normally grow (I'm guessing the obvious) anything unusual? Are they available for urban dwellers? How are they seen...A hobby, an essential, a luxury, old fashioned, an embarrassment?

I want to know a bit about the culture. For me food sourcing is fundamental to culture more than producing what a climate can support. For example Jewish food and culture seem to be intertwined but I don't want to start an argument about what is Jewish food!!
I would really appreciate any replies.

How are allotments obtained? You need to buy from the state or another owner.

Are they privately owned or state run? They are private or belong to cooperatives of members.


Are they passed down through the family? I suppose so.

How important are they now? They have always been important. When my motehr got an allotment in 80s, she went overboard with looking after it. I was forced to work hard on it and hated it...

Did they start during the Communist era? Yes, the greatest development of allotment cutlure was in communist times.


How big are they? It depends. In big cities it is a few ares (1 are= 100 square meters).

What do you normally grow (I'm guessing the obvious) anything unusual? Rather usual stuff: some vegetables like carrots, cabbage, fruit trees like apple, pear, plum or cherry, strawberries, gooseberries, black and red currant and raspberries, walnut trees, sunflowers. Nothing extraordinary.

Are they available for urban dwellers? Yes, most allotments are owned and cultivated by city residents.

How are they seen...A hobby, an essential, a luxury, old fashioned, an embarrassment? Mainly a hobby and an opportunity to relax. Poor owners claim they save on food expenses. Sometimes they sell their produce on city fresh food markets.

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Thanks for taking the time
Pretty much as I expected

search google images for: "na dzialce" and "moja dzialka" and "ogrodki dzialkowe" to see what it is like.

Will do
No great cultural significance then ok
Thanks